PACKAGING

Plastic, glass, paper, cotton, jute or bio-polymer?
Deciding which type of packaging to use is difficult, with each type of packaging having advantages and disadvantages, with both innovation and research constantly changing what’s available, and our understanding of what is and isn’t sustainable evolving accordingly.

Regardless of the innovations, direct sales models that reuse packaging, particularly where it doesn’t need to be washed, will always be the best option for the environment and for cost. For example, Cae Tan CSA is able to distribute their members’ vegetables into wooden boxes which are collected by members in their own reusable bags. Ashurst Organics make use of second and third hand boxes and continue to collect and reuse them. Riverford commissioned a study comparing packaging used in its box scheme with supermarket packaging. The study found Riverford’s boxes used 82% less plastic packaging.

At this point in time, there’s still the need for some packaging that is unlikely to be reused. Whichever packaging option you choose, it’s advised by growers and farmers to communicate your choice of packaging to customers. An example of statements on packaging, from Community Farm in Bristol and Unicorn Grocery, can be read here:

https://www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk/about-us/a-statement-on-plastic-waste/

https://www.unicorn-grocery.coop/packaging-choices/

If you opt for biodegradable/compostable packaging, it is advisable to choose the kind that says ‘compostable at home’. Biodegradable bags are more-often-than-not only biodegradable if customers dispose of them in the food waste bin collected by their council.

The Food Climate Research Network is a good first stop for the latest reliable and free information on packaging’s impact on the environment. Riverford is also a good source of information on packaging, as the company has done a lot of research for their own produce sales:

https://www.riverford.co.uk/ethics-and-ethos/thoughtful-packaging

Non-insulated boxes
Many growers and farmers recommended first just making use of existing boxes which bought-in produce arrives in, and speaking with other local farms for boxes they’re looking to get rid of. Box schemes also make use of reused food crates collected from restaurants and pubs and bought from EBay and auction houses. When you need to buy boxes, there are a plethora of box manufacturers to choose from. It’s recommended to either order customised boxes, or customise them yourself with a large stamp or sticker with your farm branding. This will increase the likelihood of the box being returned and will market your farm. Those running box schemes can ask customers to have their box ready to be collected at the same time their next box is delivered.

Costs vary with size and degree of customisation, and how many you are buying, but start at £0.66 +VAT per box.

There are too many box manufacturers to list them all. Here are just a few:

Insulated boxes
Insulated boxes allow producers to deliver and mail fresh and frozen produce which needs to be maintained within a specific temperature range. For some time, no natural option was available. Now a company in Staffordshire, Wool Cool, produces all-natural insulated boxes. They are happy to provide a set of samples free of charge. The cost of wool-insulated boxes and liners varies with size and degree of customisation, and starts from £2.63 +VAT per box.

https://www.woolcool.com/food/ and https://3rsustainableproducts.co.uk/

Below we’ve compiled a non-exhaustive list of packaging options, with comments from LWA members on their benefits and disadvantages.

Fruit and Vegetable Nets
A company in Austria has developed a home compostable vegetable net made from beechwood: https://vpz.at/en/packnatur/

Elastic bands
Elastic bands can be used when produce can be bunched, minimising packaging and showing off the veg. They’re also affordable at around £3.00 for 1lb of bands. Stockists include: BHGS Horticultural Supplies and Carters Packaging.